Rabuka Likely To Be Rejected By US

The US government may not accept the nomination of Sitiveni Rabuka as Fiji's ambassador to the US.

A TV One report this evening stated that the nomination was made by the Interim President Ratu Josefa Iloilo. The US Embassy stated that it has still not received any formal notification of the nomination. The news report also stated that interim regime Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase is aware of the US government position.

Fiji's ambassadors are appointed by the President upon recommendation by the Prime Minister. That Qarase recommended Rabuka for the post knowing fully the position of the US government indicates the extent to which the Qarase regime will go to embarrass both the President as well as the nation.

Rabuka's name has often arisen as the face behind Speight. Speight's terrorists trained on Rabuka's farm in Vanua Levu. Rabuka denied knowledge of the training.

During captivity in the Parliament Complex as hostages, some terrorists informed a few hostages that Speight and the terrorists action was endorsed by Rabuka and Police Commissioner Isikia Savua, but their failure to come to the Parliament after Speight and the terrorists entered the Parliament and secured it angered Speight who felt let down by these two. Speight later threatened to shoot Rabuka when Speight refused to demand the resignation of the President. It is believed that Rabuka backed down when the military refused to rally behind Speight. According to information provided by the terrorists, Rabuka was to become the President and Savua the Prime Minister if the military had fallen behind the terrorists.

END

28 September.

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